From Derrick Coleman to Billy Owens to Carmelo Anthony to Hakim Warrick to Gerry McNamara, only a handful of schools can match the college star-power wattage of the Orange. And in the Mount Rushmore of coaches who have personified the league, the chin-in-his-hand image of Jim Boeheim stands alongside John Thompson, Lou Carnesecca and Jim Calhoun.

Now, on the same weekend (former Big East Commissioner Dave) Gavitt died of congestive heart failure at the age of 73, Syracuse has helped bury the league he so adored.

Because this is the end of the Big East. Let's not kid ourselves here.

O'Neal also criticizes Pittsburgh, noting that the Panthers were one of four schools that sued Boston College when the Eagles left the Big East in 2003, and Pittsburgh President Mark Nordenberg was vocal in his criticism of BC.

O'Neil also has this to say:

In defense of her university's move, Syracuse chancellor Nancy Cantor explained that leaving the Big East was in the university's best interest "as conference realignment gives some instability to the landscape." What she -- and everyone else who has taken their bag of toys and run -- failed to acknowledge is that by leaving, Syracuse and Pittsburgh are the ones creating the instability.